THE BROTHERS GRIMM AND THEIR SISTER TELLERS
Compiled by Dr. John Newman
All of the characters in this play are based on specific historical individuals who were involved in the gathering of the tales. The initial gathering took place over a period of about five years, from 1807 to 1812. Over that time, the gathering focused on different families: first the Wilds, then the Hassenpflugs, then the Von Drostes, and then the Von Haxthausens. In this play, that sequence has been condensed with the brothers speaking to each of the families over a summer night and day in 1810.
The best published narrative about the contributions of the “sister tellers” is Valerie Paradiz’ Clever Maids. Jack Zipes’ translation of the 200 canonized tales of the Brothers Grimm (as well as dozens of other stories that have not been included in “complete” collections) indicates in his index which tales were probably told by which families, and in many cases which individual sister.
Compiled by Dr. John Newman
All of the characters in this play are based on specific historical individuals who were involved in the gathering of the tales. The initial gathering took place over a period of about five years, from 1807 to 1812. Over that time, the gathering focused on different families: first the Wilds, then the Hassenpflugs, then the Von Drostes, and then the Von Haxthausens. In this play, that sequence has been condensed with the brothers speaking to each of the families over a summer night and day in 1810.
The best published narrative about the contributions of the “sister tellers” is Valerie Paradiz’ Clever Maids. Jack Zipes’ translation of the 200 canonized tales of the Brothers Grimm (as well as dozens of other stories that have not been included in “complete” collections) indicates in his index which tales were probably told by which families, and in many cases which individual sister.